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Heat Stress Dilutes Milk Quality, Draining Dairy Profits
19 Jun
Summary
- Rising temperatures reduce milk protein and fat content.
- Economic losses from heat stress double due to quality decline.
- Dairy industry faces millions in losses from climate-induced stress.
Climate change is posing a significant threat to the U.S. dairy industry, affecting both milk production quantity and quality. Research from Cornell University reveals that increasing temperatures, even those in the 60s and 70s, cause a gradual dilution of valuable milk components like protein and fat. This quality deterioration, independent of yield reduction, effectively doubles the economic damage to the industry, which is valued at nearly $60 billion annually.
Studies involving data from 43 states between 2007 and 2016 showed that a mere 10-point increase in the temperature and humidity index resulted in a 1.2% decrease in milk yield and a 2.8% reduction in revenue. This translates to potential annual losses of $1.65 billion across the industry. Furthermore, cows themselves are not resilient to extreme temperatures, with hundreds potentially dying each summer due to heat stress, adding to the financial burden, which also includes losses from extreme cold events.
